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I'm looking at a 1981 33 foot Hunter tomorrow. The price is only $3900 which seems too good to be true. I've been looking for a boat like this for quite some time however I haven't really had the money. I have a wedding coming up in October that I'm trying to pay for it even if I get this great deal I'll still have to Drop another 1500 on the morning for the rest of the season...

My friend, you have a lot of expenses coming up, so I would seriously look at your income to make sure you are not going to overextend yourself financially. Look closely at all expenses involved in keeping the boat that size and make sure you can afford them. Buying a boat is typically just a tip of a money iceberg that is required to own and use it. Many marriages fall apart because of financial problems so I would be very, very careful when making this kind of commitment.

05-04-2013 11:06 AM

eherlihy

Re: Looking at a boat tomorrow

This boat is worth what you can get someone to pay for it. Regarding the price, this is not a Hinkley, it's a Hunter. Here's the ad;

No major problems tells me that it floats (upright), it sails, and that the engine runs. There are likely a bunch of minor problems, like an electrical system that may be a fire hazard, polluted freshwater system, alcohol stove that doesn't work, small leak in the fuel system, old batteries, tired sails, and smelly plumbing to the holding tank. The entire boat probably also needs a thorough cleaning.

What's it worth? The answer is; what you want to pay for it.

Realize, however, that the purchase price is like the purchase price of a razor... It's the cost of ongoing use will far outweigh the initial price.

You will find Hunters of that age the decks always look very warn. They also have a problem with soft decks and the hull ribs buckling.

I can't say I have a thorough experience, but its funny you mention this. The few I know did have very worn decks. Worse, one had a very unprofessional repair. Must have been DIY non-skid. I actually prefer to have worn decks over a shoddy repair, assuming no water penetration, as I would have to redo it or my boat OCD would put me in the hospital.

...Also, seems like the owner did a bit of work....All new cushions and new standing rigging is a big expense....He just bought the boat 3 years ago...The cost of those two jobs alone is more than the asking price...Which is actually a bit of a red flag to me...

We'll see how things check out in the morning...

If by red flag, you mean you would have expected the boat price to reflect this, you're learning a very important lesson. Buying a boat under $5k can always have a few issues that will cost more than one paid for the boat and will not appreciably increase its value. Maybe said differently, before these were done, the boat was technically worth nothing.

05-04-2013 07:16 AM

Sal Paradise

Re: Looking at a boat tomorrow

Some people are just not sailors. If its his first sailboat maybe it just took him 3 years to figure that out.

05-03-2013 10:24 PM

ckmeans

Re: Looking at a boat tomorrow

Thank you all for your input...I definitely appreciate everybody's thoughts...it's really helping with my decision...I'm looking at the 27 tomorrow morning...I realize it's a 2500 dollar boat...which will immediately turn into $4500 after mooring fee's and insurance...I think I can swing that...Interesting that the boat was re-powered 8 years after new...seems to be a much bigger engine than the original...Also, seems like the owner did a bit of work....All new cushions and new standing rigging is a big expense....He just bought the boat 3 years ago...The cost of those two jobs alone is more than the asking price...Which is actually a bit of a red flag to me...

OTOH I had a guy tell me once he'd "put a hole in it and sink it to the bottom of the river" before he took my offer. !!

LOL had a guy tell me that about a truck once.....he called a week later and asked if I was still interested.

05-03-2013 06:03 PM

Sal Paradise

Re: Looking at a boat tomorrow

"new standing rigging" Thats cool.

I'm no expert but there is a place between " if it sails buy it" and a full survey. Thats where I usually am. Look closely at chain plates, engine oil, look at the keel for cracks, do a compression test on the motor, see if it looks moldy behind the bulkheads. Check ends of standing rigging to see if it really is new.

I predict most sellers will haggle if you are holding cash.

OTOH I had a guy tell me once he'd "put a hole in it and sink it to the bottom of the river" before he took my offer. So YMMV. Liability only insurance might not require a survey.

Good luck!!!

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